Chess Video Lessons

Perhaps the most critical element of knowing when to simplify, the recognition of a sidelined enemy piece, is once again on display in today's video lecture. The follow up plan of trading off all the other pieces in order to exploit the out of play" weak piece is the key element here. Former World Champ Kasparov leads us off, and we end with an instructive and fun puzzle! | Watch video

Today the "Towers of Power" have their say in the video series that has become the most in-depth look at the Spanish Endgame Pawn Structures on the internet! GM Dejan Bojkov enlightens further, stressing that the activity of the Rooks along the open files is much more important than the pawns themselves. Learn from more top Grandmaster games today, and enjoy these instructive examples of technique. | Watch video

In this lively summary of white's perspective in the Scheveningen formation, IM Rensch discusses white's tactical patterns in more detail. Reviewing two of his own losses against the Nd5 and Nf5 "Knightmare sacrifices"! He also highlights some interesting stories that took place during these games that should serve as family fun for all... He finishes with an interesting look at a possible endgame from this structure. | Watch video

The more pieces there are on the board, the more points black will score! Or at least it certainly seems to be the case in the Berlin Defense. As we observe in the sixth video of GM Bojkov's series on the structure commonly reached via the Ruy Lopez, black needs to keep some sort of imbalance in the position in order to be successful. The imbalance of the day is Opposite Colored Bishops. Enjoy! | Watch video

Will the next Minor Piece step right up?! GM Bojkov's detailed look into the "Spanish Endgames", commonly reached via the Berlin Defense, continues today with a discussion about the Bishops. Here we see that endings featuring Bishops of the same color should also be avoided by black, with high level games from players like Wang Yue, Michael, Adams, Jakovenko, and more to prove it! | Watch video

The ponies come to the rescue! Well, not really... As we learn in GM Dejan Bojkov's next installment of this very important endgame (important for "Lopez Players" and "non-Lopez Players" alike) the Knights don't improve a worse pawn structure in the endgame much more than the King's do. The maneuverings of the Knights are extremely instructive no less, and is a joy to watch white's well-timed kingside breakthroughs... | Watch video

Never fall asleep on your pawn structure! Especially when playing black in the Berlin Defense... GM Bojkov's description of white's positional advantages in the infamous "Ruy Lopez Endgame" should be instructive for both Beginner and Advanced players alike. His practical examples display excellent technique for the first player and leave you with a confident understanding of this endgame. | Watch video

Learn this highly useful theoretical draw, and rule the world! Well, maybe you won't rule the world, but at least you won't blunder away a drawn ending like this Grandmaster did! GM Melik Khachiyan continues his extremely practical series on commonly made mistakes in all types of endgames involving Rooks. Here we see black's "unbreakable" fortress broken by "self-destruction"... | Watch video

Your journey continues today! IM Rensch leads us into the final stage of chess with a few goals in mind: Understand the power and important role your King plays in the endgame; recognize and execute the power of your passed pawns; understand that in all "roughly equal" endgames, those two factors will often dictate your results. Oh, and push, push, push your passed pawns! | Watch video

Three pawns vs a Rook, and several blunders to go with it! GM Khachiyan continues today with another "quickie" filled with mistakes for your entertainment. It isn't all a laugh though, as Melik makes some very instructive insights into not only the psychology of such positions, but the "xs and os" that go with it. "Please don't put your King on the same file as your furthest advanced pawn", begs Melik. Listen to the man! | Watch video

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